Gouden Carolus Noël (Christmas)

Sampled at a 2005 Christmas and Winter beer tasting at Delilah’s, Chicago, IL. 2004 vintage. ale having a small white diminishing head. No discernable carbonation. Sweet fruity bubblegum aroma. Medium bodied that starts with light sweet malt and notable bubblegum (tuttifruitti?) flavor. Finishes with light malt aftertaste. A decent drinkable beer but some may find the sweet synthetic chewing gum flavor somewhat overwhelming.

Bottle shared with HogTownHarry, blankboy, tupalev & jerc - courtesy of HogTownHarry. Dark, hazy mahogany with a small mocha head. Big aroma that is sweet, spicey, herbal - really nice. Flavour is quite sweet as well, with notes of cherry, pineapple, spice (cinnamon, clove), dark malt, brown sugar. A great winter warmer, and the perfect way to end a long night of tasting great beers with great friends.

Big frothy head covering a dark brown liquid. "Belgian" smell. I know it’s is like swearing in church in a forum like this to say that belgian beer taste stale - but it does. This xmas variety however has a spicy sweetness that makes me forgive all the others. Not a favorite, but OK.

Robe brune surmontée d’une mousse blanche qui s’estompe. Arômes de caramel, de malt et d’épices. Saveurs de malt caramélisé, de levure et d’épices.

Bottle shared with Hogtown Harry, GregClow, Jerc, and blankboy, courtesy of Harry. Last bottle of a solid tasting. Dark brown, huge bubbly thick tan head. Big strong aroma - floral, sweetness, bubblegum, candy, and root beer - incredible. Medium mouthfeel. Taste is good - sweet candy giving way to alcohol. Bubblegum, yeast, and hops at the end. Spicy as well. A special occasion beer for sure. Excellent. A perfect beer to end our Christmas tasting with a great bunch of guys - thanks for the fantastic 2005 tastings lads.

Bottle. Hazy dark brown body with a small creamy khaki head. Huge fruity aroma with moderate spices - nutmeg? cinnamon? Reminds me of egg nog for some reason. Fairly complex aroma. Sweet malt and some sugars in the flavour, with a subtle malt complexity and more spice similar to those in the aroma. Creamy medium palate. Very nice, and a perfect Christmasy end to the evening. Almost worth waiting an hour for the bus for!<P> "...there’s going to be like vikings and sh*t in there!" - Blankboy

Bottle (750ml). Shared with blankboy, GregClow, jerc, tupalev - courtesy of yours truly. Poured murky ruby-brown with a huge light brown creamy-foamy lasting head, beautiful lacing. Aroma of hard candy, vanilla, caramel and brown sugar, yeast, mild spices (nutmeg, cinnamon), gets darker and richer as it warms - oh yeah, this says "Christmas" to me. Taste follows the nose, but man, there’s the 10.5% alcohol - lovely, warming, spicy - a comfort beer that could make you wake up under a bridge with a huge smile on your face. Mouthfeel thick, syrupy, long lingering .... terrific seasonal strong beer, I’m proud to have had it and shared it.

750 ml bottle 2004 vintage poured a cloudy reddish brown with a large, long lasting tan head. Aromas of raisins, plums and some spice. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of dark fruit, spices, carmel and molasses with a sweet, warming finish.